RUSSELL CROWE - 'THE TONIGHT SHOW W/ JAY LENO' - 02/14/08

Very, very entertaining and funny broadcast, last night's THE TONIGHT SHOW WITH JAY LENO with Russell Crowe guesting, an uncomfortable Larry the Cable Guy joining later, and wrapped with an endearing musical performance by Willie Nelson.

From website CONSTANT CROWE, there are media files of the entire broadcast -- Crowe's appearance is concentrated in files 02 and 03.

Leno02142008-01a.wmv (78MB) [Monologue]
Leno02142008-01b.wmv (82MB) [Opening]
Leno02142008-02.wmv (43MB) [Russell - Part One]
Leno02142008-03.wmv (54MB) [Russell - Part Two]
Leno02142008-04.wmv (69MB) [Larry The Cable Guy - Russell also appears]
Leno02142008-05.wmv (30MB) [Willie Nelson and Russell appears for close]

I tried uploading the downloaded files to my server but it was like waiting for a snail to cross an asphalt highway -- I have no idea why because I have a huge amount of as-yet unused bandwidth and FTP capability. So, I've linked to them, as above, which I hope will be alright and viewed easily by trafficking over to Constant Crowe.

Speaking of Russell Crowe, he's been named as one of three Ambassadors for Sydney, Australia -- Crowe will be featured in a media campaign in the U.S. later this year to promote Sydney, Australia.

And, the DVD for AMERICAN GANGSTER is due out in a few more days. I have not yet seen this film, directed by Ridley Scott and starring Russell Crowe and Denzel Washington (weighty interview with the two actors here), but am looking forward to the DVD (purchase and) viewing after reading such great press about the film -- though I'd have purchased the DVD anyway, whatever the press, based upon it being Scott's work with Crowe and Washington, either/or or any.

Another film starring Crowe --- 3:10 TO YUMA -- was out on DVD a month or more ago and what a film it is. Remarkable to see Crowe play a truly bad man, though honest to a point of near chivalry of sorts. Christian Bale, also starring, is equally remarkable as a vulnerable but heroic, stoic struggling rancher in the 1880's Old West in relationship both antagonistically and sympathetically to Crowe's villian. Supporting Actor Ben Foster, too, is not to be missed, does an exceptionaly job as an utterly snarly junior-bad-man as sidekick to Crowe's villianry.

The production quality of 3:10 TO YUMA is genuine and exceptionally well done accordingly -- the lighting is especially dear, as is the very accurate degree of ranch-worn working rural wear of all the characters: very well done, no betrayals by contemporary cosmetics in site.

I've yet to see any film starring Crowe that I haven't bought on DVD and enjoyed about as much as any I could and have, including the odd A GOOD YEAR, despite the critical bans of that lighter-weight tale. Crowe's a fine actor and continues to renew my faith in filmmaking and filmmakers.

Speaking of which, I read a February 11, 2008 interview with Ridley Scott -- probably my most admired, favored film director and producer and certainly an incredibly prolific artist what with the ongoing spate of excellent, unique titles he has and continues to direct and/or produce -- and Scott is now prepping to make ROBIN HOOD starring Russell Crowe as none other than Robin Hood. Should be lively! And wonderful, I'm thinking! 'Can barely manage to wait for that one. He and Crowe have just wrapped the production of BODY OF LIES co-starring Leonard DiCaprio, so, Crowe's a busy guy! So is Scott, by the way.

Thank Heaven our world with us in it has these wonderful artists, each and every one of them.